Foundation Engineering
Design recommendations for shallow and deep foundations built on southern Alberta soils.
Foundations Designed for Alberta Conditions
Southern Alberta's unique soil conditions — lacustrine clays, glacial till, expansive Bearpaw Formation deposits, and a 2.4-metre frost depth — demand foundation designs that account for real local conditions, not textbook generalities.
We provide clear, practical foundation recommendations based on site-specific geotechnical data. Every recommendation considers the specific soil profile, loading conditions, and performance requirements of your project.
What We Deliver
- Foundation type recommendations with engineering rationale
- Allowable bearing pressure for your specific soil conditions
- Estimated settlements and timeframes
- Frost protection requirements
- Drainage and waterproofing recommendations
- Earthwork specifications for site preparation
Common Challenges We Solve
Expansive clays can cause heaving and cracking if not properly addressed. High water tables require dewatering plans and waterproofing strategies. Variable fill from previous land use may need removal or densification. We identify these issues early and design around them — before they become expensive problems during construction.
Capabilities
- ✓ Shallow foundation design (spread footings, strips, mats)
- ✓ Deep foundation recommendations (piles)
- ✓ Bearing capacity analysis
- ✓ Settlement calculations
- ✓ Frost depth considerations (2.4m Alberta standard)
- ✓ Expansive clay mitigation strategies
- ✓ Foundation repair assessments
- ✓ Peer review of foundation designs